Pauline Rourke disappeared in Fairfield, Maine on December 15, 1976. She lived in a mobile home with Albert P. Cochran, who was a distant relative and had a history of violence.

Pauline's daughter Honey was the last person to see her alive and reported hearing her and Albert argue the night before. Honey found her mother lying in bed the next morning, but she was gone by the time she returned from school.

Pauline was scheduled to be questioned by the police regarding the murder of Janet Baxter and feared that Albert was involved. Albert was never charged in Pauline's disappearance, but her body has never been found and foul play is suspected. Albert had previously served time for the murder of his family in Joliet, Illinois, and was later convicted of Janet Baxter's murder and sentenced to life in prison.